Print_CB_Request__BOR0105051_-_Science_of_Reading_.pdf

Controlling Board

Department Of Higher Education Department of Higher Education

Controlling Board Number

BOR0105051

Fiscal Year(s)

Bill Number(s)

HB 33

Request Type: Operating

Authorization Type Agency Released Competitive Opportunity

ORC §127.162

Status Approved

Meeting Date 9/9/2024

Request Summary The Department of Higher Education respectfully requests Controlling Board approval of an agency released competitive opportunity in the amount of $6,392,181.00, in FY 2025, to contract with the University of Texas at Austin to complete audits of Ohio’s educator preparation programs.

Non Substantive Change

The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) respectfully requests the Controlling Board President approval for a non-substantive change request for Controlling Board number BOR0105051, approved on 9/9/2024. The previously approved request provided an agency released competitive opportunity in the amount of $6,392,181.00 in FY25 to contract with the University of Texas at Austin to complete audits of Ohio’s educator preparation programs. The total amount was made up of $1,892,181 to be paid from 235585 (GRF), Educator Preparation Program, and $4,500,000.00 from 2356A1 (Fund 3HQ0), Science of Reading. The GRF funds have been exhausted for obligations under the contract.

Following approval of the request, the Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), determined ODEW’s non-GRF line (Fund 5AQ1/2006A4) is an appropriate funding source for this work. ODHE requests a non-sub change to allow ODEW to support up to $4,500,000 of the total contract.

Funding Fiscal Year Fund ALI Amount

2025 3HQ0 - Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund 2356A1 - Science of Reading $4,500,000.00

2025 GRF - General Revenue (GRF) 235585 - Educator Preparation Programs $1,892,181.00

Explanation ORC 3333.048, amended via HB33 of the 135th General Assembly, made various changes to the statute regarding the Department of Higher Education's role in evaluating Ohio's educator preparation programs to ensure compliance with the updated standards for the science of reading. The statute required the Department to accomplish three primary tasks by December 31, 2023, as follows:

1. Complete an initial survey of educator preparation programs to assess the extent to which programs are or are not aligned to the science of reading;

2. Establish metrics to be used for the audits that are performed of all institutions; and

3. Update educator preparation standards to reflect the new science of reading requirements.

All three tasks were successfully completed prior the conclusion of calendar year 2023. Institutions were then given a one-year grace period, beginning January 1, 2024, to update their programs to meet the new standards and requirements.

Beginning January 1, 2025, the Chancellor is to begin conducting audits of each institution that offers educator preparation programs, using an auditing process that clearly documents the degree to which every educator preparation program at an institution of higher education is effectively teaching the science of reading. Further, the Department is required to revoke approval for programs found to be not in alignment that do not address the findings of the audit within a year. 50 educator preparation programs exist statewide that need to be audited, beginning January 1, 2025, per these statutory requirements. Given the importance of higher education's rapid alignment to the science of reading, and the sense of urgency surrounding this policy initiative, the Department of Higher Education (ODHE) needs to contract with a vendor that has the capacity, expertise and willingness to successfully complete all audits within calendar year 2025.

Vendor Selection Process: ODHE posted a competitive request for proposals (RFP) on June 27, 2024 with a proposal due date of July 24, 2024. 4 proposals were received for consideration, which were reviewed by a committee of ODHE staff and affiliated educator preparation program experts. All reviewers used a standardized rubric to score the proposals individually. Collectively, the reviewers unanimously recommended that the vendor services contract be awarded to the University of Texas at Austin due to their expertise as demonstrated through their proposal.

Once under contract, the selected vendor will use the time remaining in calendar year 2024 to prepare audit-related materials, coordinate logistics, and schedule on-site visits with Ohio's educator preparation programs so they can begin the audit process immediately on January 1, 2025.

Supplier / Release & Permit

Supplier: 0000081456 - UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, Austin, TX

Agency Fiscal Year

Request Amount

Contract Start

Contract End Account Release & Permit

Number

BOR 2025 $6,392,181.00 9/9/2024 6/30/2025 510050 - ADMINISTRATIVE

AND MGMT SERV BOR 24/25

Attachments Type File Name (link) Contract Agreement.Ohio Department of Higher Education - Meadows Center https://checkbook.ohio.gov/State/Resources/PayeeSearch.aspx?search=UNIVERSITY%20OF%20TEXAS%20AT%20AUSTIN https://files.obm.ohio.gov/filedownload.aspx?id=d3b38d46-f92c-4cf2-805f-5be7d5b20c7a

Supplier Questionnaire Supplier Name: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

New Contract

1. What process was used to select a supplier?

Request for Proposal (RFP) ODHE posted a request for proposal on June 27, 2024, with a proposal due date of July 24, 2024.

Proposals were received for consideration, which were reviewed by committee of ODHE staff and affiliated educator preparation program experts. All reviewers used a standardized rubric to score the proposals individually. Collectively, the reviewers unanimously recommended that the vendor services contract be awarded to University of Texas at Austin due to their expertise as demonstrated through their proposal.

Number of days opportunity was advertised: 27

Supplier City State County Proposal Amount Selected UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Austin TX $6,392,181.00 Yes

Why was the supplier selected? Most responsive to qualifications Collectively, the reviewers unanimously recommended that the vendor services contract be awarded to University of Texas at Austin due to their expertise as demonstrated through their proposal.

2. Is the supplier already performing work under this contract?

No

3. Buy Ohio/Buy American Compliance Is the contractor in compliance with Buy Ohio? N/A Located in State of Texas.

Is the contractor in compliance with Buy America? N/A Located in State of Texas.

4. Provide the following employee information:

United States Ohio

Total Number of Employees 17050 0 Percentage of Women 55.48% 0.00% Percentage of Minorities 40.00% 0.00%

5. Are subcontractors being used?

No

6. Provide future renewal schedules:

Fiscal Year Beginning Date Ending Date Total Amount

2026 7/1/2025 12/31/2025 $2,905,833.00 Total: $2,905,833.00

Not additional funding just continuation of the original $6,392,181.00.

Agency Contact Michael Graham, Director of Legislative Affairs

Phone: (614) 752 - 8810 Email: mgraham@highered.ohio.gov

Signatures

Mike Duffey Date 08/29/2024 Agency Director/Authorized Agent

Jill N. Schuler Date 09/09/2024 Controlling Board President